Fishing rod holding apparatus and related boat and method

ABSTRACT

A fishing rod holding apparatus is provided. The apparatus may include a crossbar and one or more rod receivers affixed to the crossbar. Each of the rod receivers may be configured to receive a fishing rod. Further, the apparatus may include at least one bracket engaged with the crossbar and configured to engage a boat. The apparatus may additionally include an actuator engaged with crossbar and configured to rotate the crossbar to change an angle of the one or more rod receivers with respect to the vertical plane. A related boat and a related boat accessory operation method are also provided.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/394,511 filed Sep. 14, 2016, the disclosure of whichis incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to boats. More particularly, the presentdisclosure relates to a fishing rod holding apparatus for boats.

Description of Related Art

Fishing rod holding apparatuses may be employed to hold fishing rods ona boat. Certain fishing rod holding apparatuses may be referred to as“rocket launchers” due to such devices including fishing rod receiversthat may be viewed as resembling an apparatus employed to launchrockets. Such fishing rod receivers may be mounted to the roof of a boatsuch that when fishing rods are received therein, the fishing rods areelevated and out of the way of the occupants of the boat

However, positioning fishing rods in this manner may have certaindetriments. For example, positioning the fishing rods too low mayinterfere with movement of the passengers in the boat, and positioningof the fishing rods too high may interfere with other aspects of theboat and/or with passage of the boat under relatively low structures.Thus, advances with respect to fishing rod holding apparatuses and boatsmay be desirable.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to a fishing rod holding apparatus andrelated method. In some aspects, the fishing rod holding apparatuscomprises a crossbar; one or more rod receivers affixed to the crossbar,each of the rod receivers being configured to receive a fishing rod; atleast one bracket engaged with the crossbar and configured to engage aboat; and an actuator engaged with crossbar and configured to rotate thecrossbar to change an angle of the one or more rod receivers withrespect to a vertical plane.

In some other aspects, a boat comprises a roof structure; and a fishingrod holding apparatus, comprising: a crossbar; one or more rod receiversaffixed to the crossbar, each of the rod receivers being configured toreceive a fishing rod; at least one bracket engaged with the crossbarand engaged with the roof structure; and an actuator engaged with thecrossbar and configured to rotate the crossbar to change an angle of theone or more rod receivers with respect to a vertical plane.

In some further aspects, a boat accessory operation method comprisesproviding a boat, the boat comprising: a roof structure; and a fishingrod holding apparatus, comprising: a crossbar; one or more rod receiversaffixed to the crossbar, each of the rod receivers being configured toreceive a fishing rod; at least one bracket engaged with the crossbarand engaged with the roof structure; and an actuator engaged with thecrossbar; and actuating the actuator to rotate the crossbar and changean angle of the one or more rod receivers with respect to a verticalplane.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the disclosure willbe apparent from a reading of the following detailed descriptiontogether with the accompanying drawings, which are briefly describedbelow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Having thus described the disclosure in the foregoing general terms,reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are notnecessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a partial right side view of a boat including afishing rod holding apparatus according to an example embodiment of theof the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates a view of an underside of a roof of the boat of FIG.1 to which the fishing rod holding apparatus is engaged according to anexample embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates a rear view of the roof and the fishing rod holdingapparatus of the boat of FIG. 1 according to an example embodiment ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates a right perspective view of the fishing rod holdingapparatus of the boat of FIG. 1 wherein rod receivers are in an upwardconfiguration according to an example embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates a left perspective view of the fishing rod holdingapparatus of the boat of FIG. 1 wherein rod receivers are in an upwardconfiguration according to an example embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 6 illustrates a lower left view of an actuator of the fishing rodholding apparatus of the boat of FIG. 1 according to an exampleembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 illustrates a right perspective view of the actuator of thefishing rod holding apparatus of the boat of FIG. 1 according to anexample embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 illustrates a rear perspective view of the actuator of thefishing rod holding apparatus of the boat of FIG. 1 according to anexample embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 illustrates a front perspective view of the actuator of thefishing rod holding apparatus of the boat of FIG. 1 according to anexample embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 illustrates a right perspective view of the actuator of thefishing rod holding apparatus of the boat of FIG. 1 according to anotherexample embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 illustrates a rear perspective view of the fishing rod holdingapparatus of the boat of FIG. 1 wherein rod receivers are in a loweredconfiguration according to an example embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 12 illustrates a right side view of the fishing rod holdingapparatus of the boat of FIG. 1 wherein rod receivers are in a loweredconfiguration according to an example embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 13 illustrates a left perspective view of the fishing rod holdingapparatus of the boat of FIG. 1 wherein rod receivers are in a loweredconfiguration according to an example embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 14 illustrates a lower left view of the actuator of the fishing rodholding apparatus of the boat of FIG. 1 wherein rod receivers are in alowered configuration according to an example embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 15 illustrates a partial left perspective view of the fishing rodholding apparatus and an extendable sunshade in an extendedconfiguration according to an example embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 16 illustrates a partial right rear view of the boat of FIG. 1wherein the sunshade is in an extend configuration according to anexample embodiment of the of the present disclosure;

FIG. 17 schematically illustrates a control configuration of the boat ofFIG. 1 according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 18 schematically illustrates a boat accessory operation methodaccording to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to exemplary embodiments thereof. These exemplary embodimentsare described so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, andwill fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in theart. Indeed, the disclosure may be embodied in many different forms andshould not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein;rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure willsatisfy applicable legal requirements. As used in the specification, andin the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, “the”, includeplural variations unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

As described hereinafter, the present disclosure relates to a fishingrod holding apparatus. In this regard, FIG. 1 illustrates a boat 100according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. The boat100 may include a hull 102, one or more engines 104, which may beinboard or outboard, and a roof structure 106. As may be understood, theparticular configuration of the boat 100 may vary. Thus, it should beunderstood that the shape and configuration of the roof structure 106,for example, may vary without departing from the scope of the presentdisclosure.

The roof structure 106 may include a roof 108 and one or more roofsupports 110. The roof supports 110 may extend from the hull 102 to theroof 108. The roof 108 may at least partially cover a seating area 112.

A fishing rod holding apparatus 200 may be coupled to the roof structure106. In some embodiments the fishing rod holding apparatus 200 may bereferred to as a “rocket launcher” due to the shape and configurationthereof. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the fishing rod holding apparatus 200may include a crossbar 202. One or more rod receivers 204 may be affixedto the crossbar 202. For example, the rod receivers 204 may be welded tothe crossbar 202 or otherwise be affixed such that the rod receivers arenot moveable with respect to the crossbar.

Each rod receiver 204 may define a generally tubular configuration andmay include a receiving aperture 208 which may be located generally at atop thereof. In this regard, each of the rod receivers 204 may beconfigured to receive a fishing rod therein. In particular, a handleportion of a rod may be inserted into the rod receiver 204 through thereceiving aperture 208 such that the flexible rod portion extendsupwardly and outwardly therefrom. Further, each rod receiver 204 mayfurther include a lower aperture 209. The lower aperture 209 may allow aportion of the handle of the fishing rod to extend therethrough and/orallow water to drain from the rod receiver 204. In some embodiments thereel of the rod may contact the top of the rod receiver 204 to controlthe depth to which the fishing rod is received therein.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the crossbar 202 may be curved. In thisregard, roof 108 of the roof structure 106 may also be curved proximatethe crossbar 202, at a rear edge 108A thereof. A radius of curvature ofthe crossbar 202 may substantially correspond to a radius of curvatureof the roof 108 at the rear edge 108A. Thereby, the rod receivers 204may be equally spaced from the roof 108 and avoid contact therewith.

Further, the fishing rod holding apparatus 200 may include at least onebracket engaged with the crossbar 202. In one embodiment, as illustratedin FIGS. 4 and 5, first and second brackets 210A, 210B (collectively,“brackets 210”) are engaged with opposing ends of the crossbar 202. Thisconfiguration may provide for improved support of the crossbar 202.However, in other configurations the crossbar may be cantilevered fromone bracket.

The brackets 210 may engage any portion of the boat 100. However, in apreferred embodiment the brackets 210 engage the roof structure 106. Forexample, the brackets 210 may engage the roof 108. In the illustratedembodiment the brackets 210 engage an underside of the roof 108.

Further, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the fishing rod holding apparatus 200may include an actuator 212. The actuator 212 may be configured torotate the crossbar 202 to change an angle of the one or more rodreceivers 204 with respect to a vertical plane. As used herein a“vertical plane” refers to a plane substantially perpendicular to ahorizontal plane at which the fishing rod holding apparatus 200 residesin in a retracted state. In this regard, the actuator 212 may be engagedwith the crossbar 202.

In one embodiment, the crossbar 202 may include at least one end plate.For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the crossbar 202 mayinclude first and second end plates 214A, 214B (collectively, “endplates 214”) at opposing ends thereof. The end plates 214 may bepositioned inwardly of the brackets 210. As illustrated in FIG. 4, afirst fastener 216A may extend through the first bracket 210A into afirst end of the crossbar 202 at the first end plate 214A. Similarly, asillustrated in FIG. 5, a second fastener 216B may extend through thesecond bracket 210B into a second end of the crossbar 202 at the secondend plate 214B. The brackets 210 may include a bearing or bushingthrough which the fasteners 216A, 216B extend.

As noted above, the actuator 212 may be configured to rotate thecrossbar 202. In this regard, as illustrated in FIGS. 6-9, a first end218A of the actuator 212 may be engaged with a stationary object on theboat. For example, the first end 218A of the actuator 212 may engage anextension 220 that extends from and is fixedly engaged with the roof 108of the boat 100. In this example, a second end 218B of the actuator 212may engage the first end plate 214A. In particular, the first end plate214A may be configured for single, fixed point connection with thesecond end 218B of the actuator 212. As such, the first end plate 214Amay include a fastener 222 that extends through the first end plate 214Aand is configured to engage the second end 218B of the actuator 212 at asingle point. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the actuator 212may engage the first end plate 214A at a single point via a fastener 222(e.g., a bolt) positioned outwardly from the bracket 210A. The secondend 218B of the actuator 212 at the opposing end of the crossbar is alsosimilarly engaged with the second plate 214B.

In another example, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the first end plate 214Amay be configured for at least a two point connection with the secondend 218B of the actuator 212. More particularly, the first end plate214A may be formed as a “forked” end plate 214A having a first fork anda second fork in spaced apart relation from one another and defining arecess therebetween. The recess between the first fork and the secondfork may be configured to receive the second end 218B of the actuator212 therebetween for engagement with the forked end plate 214A at aconnection point between each of the first fork and the actuator and thesecond fork and the actuator, i.e., two connection points. The fastener222 may be configured to extend through the second end 218B of theactuator 212 and be engaged with both forks of the forked end plate214A. The second end 214B of the actuator 212 at the opposing end of thecrossbar is also similar engaged with the second forked end plate 214B.

The actuator 212 may be configured to cause rotation of the crossbar202. In this regard, the actuator 212 may comprise, by way of example, apneumatic actuator, an electric actuator, or a hydraulic actuator, or acombination thereof. However, as may be understood, various otherembodiments of actuators may be employed.

In the illustrated embodiment the actuator 212 is configured to extendand retract. In this regard, the actuator 212 may extend to move the oneor more rod receivers 204 toward a vertical plane and retract to movethe one or more rod receivers away from the vertical plane. The upwardposition, at which the rod receivers 204 extend toward the verticalplane and at which the actuator 212 is extended, is illustrated in FIGS.1-9. Conversely, the downward position, at which the rod receivers 204extend toward the horizontal and at which the actuator 212 is retracted,is illustrated in FIGS. 11-14.

The ability to move the rod receivers to the downward position mayprovide several benefits. As noted above, the fishing rod holdingapparatus 200 may be engaged with a roof 108 of the boat 100 such thatthe fishing rod holding apparatus is at a relatively high height. Inthis regard, when the rod receivers 204 are in the downward position, itmay be easier for a user to insert fishing rods into the rod holders,rather than having to reach above the fishing rod holding apparatus 200to insert the rods downwardly.

Further, as noted above, the rod receivers 204 may extend substantiallyvertically in the upward position thereof. The height of the fishingrods received in the rod receivers 204 may thus add to the overallheight of the boat 100. Accordingly, removal of the fishing rods fromthe rod receivers 204 may otherwise be required for the boat 100 totravel under bridges and other relatively low structures, which may betime consuming. Instead, each of the rod receivers 204 may besimultaneously rotated downwardly, in order to reduce the overall heightof the boat 100.

Additionally, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the roof structure 106 mayfurther comprise an extendable sunshade 114. The extendable sunshade 114is illustrated in a retracted configuration in FIG. 3. The extendablesunshade 114 may be configured to extend rearward in order to cover arear of the boat 100. However, as illustrated in FIGS. 3-5, the rodreceivers 204 may interfere with a rearward extension path of theextendable sunshade 114. Accordingly, the rod receivers 204 may berotated downwardly in order to avoid contact of extendable sunshade 114with the rod receivers or any fishing rods received therein when theextendable sunshade is extended, as illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16.

Further, in some embodiments the rod receivers 204 may be configured torotate down from the upwardly extending position, which may correspondto a default position, in certain circumstances. In this regard, asillustrated in FIG. 17, the boat 100 may further include a controller116. The controller 116 may be configured to actuate the actuator 212 ofthe fishing rod holding apparatus 200 to rotate the rod receivers 204away from the vertical plane prior to extending the extendable sunshade114. Further, the controller 116 may be configured to actuate theactuator 212 of the fishing rod holding apparatus 200 to rotate the rodreceivers 204 back toward the vertical plane after retracting theextendable sunshade 214.

In an additional aspect a boat accessory operation method is provided.The method may include providing a boat at operation 302. The boat mayinclude a roof structure and a fishing rod holding apparatus. Thefishing rod holding apparatus may include a crossbar, one or more rodreceivers affixed to the crossbar, each of the rod receivers beingconfigured to receive a fishing rod, at least one bracket engaged withthe crossbar and engaged with the roof structure, and an actuatorengaged with the crossbar. The method may further include actuating theactuator to rotate the crossbar and change an angle of the one or morerod receivers with respect to the vertical plane at operation 304.

In some embodiments actuating the actuator to rotate the crossbar andchange the angle of the one or more rod receivers with respect to thevertical plane at operation 304 may include extending the actuator tomove the one or more rod receivers toward the vertical plane andretracting the actuator to move the one or more rod receivers away fromthe vertical plane. The roof may further include an extendable sunshade.The method may further include extending the sunshade, wherein actuatingthe actuator to rotate the crossbar and change the angle of the one ormore rod receivers with respect to the vertical plane at operation 304includes actuating the actuator to rotate the rod receivers away fromthe vertical plane prior to extending the extendable sunshade. Themethod may further include retracting the extendable sunshade, whereinactuating the actuator to rotate the crossbar and change the angle ofthe one or more rod receivers with respect to the vertical plane atoperation 304 includes actuating the actuator to rotate the rodreceivers toward the vertical plane after retracting the extendablesunshade.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the disclosure will come tomind to one skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains havingthe benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions andthe associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that thedisclosure is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosedherein and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to beincluded within the scope of the appended claims. Although specificterms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptivesense only and not for purposes of limitation.

1. A fishing rod holding apparatus, comprising: a crossbar; one or more rod receivers affixed to the crossbar, each of the rod receivers being configured to receive a fishing rod; at least one bracket engaged with the crossbar and configured to engage a boat; and an actuator engaged with crossbar and configured to rotate the crossbar to change an angle of the one or more rod receivers with respect to a vertical plane.
 2. The fishing rod holding apparatus of claim 1, wherein the actuator is configured to extend to move the one or more rod receivers toward the vertical plane and retract to move the one or more rod receivers away from the vertical plane.
 3. The fishing rod holding apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one bracket is configured to engage a roof of the boat.
 4. The fishing rod holding apparatus of claim 3, wherein the at least one bracket is configured to engage an underside of the roof of the boat.
 5. The fishing rod holding apparatus of claim 1, wherein the crossbar includes at least one end plate positioned inwardly of the at least one brackets, the actuator being engaged with the end plate at at least one fixed connection point.
 6. The fishing rod holding apparatus of claim 5, wherein the end plate is a forked end plate having a first fork and a second fork in spaced apart relation from one another and defining a recess therebetween, such that the actuator is configured to be received within the recess between the first fork and the second fork for engagement with the forked end plate at a connection point between each of the first fork and the actuator and the second fork and the actuator.
 7. The fishing rod holding apparatus of claim 1, wherein the crossbar is curved.
 8. The fishing rod holding apparatus of claim 1, wherein the actuator is an electric actuator, a hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic actuator, or a combination thereof.
 9. A boat, comprising: a roof structure; and a fishing rod holding apparatus, comprising: a crossbar; one or more rod receivers affixed to the crossbar, each of the rod receivers being configured to receive a fishing rod; at least one bracket engaged with the crossbar and engaged with the roof structure; and an actuator engaged with the crossbar and configured to rotate the crossbar to change an angle of the one or more rod receivers with respect to a vertical plane.
 10. The boat of claim 9, wherein the actuator is configured to extend to move the one or more rod receivers toward the vertical plane and retract to move the one or more rod receivers away from the vertical plane.
 11. The boat of claim 9, wherein the roof structure comprises a roof and one or more supports, wherein the at least one bracket is engaged with the roof.
 12. The boat of claim 11, wherein the at least one bracket is engaged with an underside of the roof.
 13. The boat of claim 9, wherein the crossbar includes at least one end plate positioned inwardly of the at least one brackets, the actuator being engaged with the end plate at at least one fixed connection point.
 14. The boat of claim 13, wherein the at least one end plate is a forked end plate having a first fork and a second fork in spaced apart relation from one another and defining a recess therebetween, such that the actuator is configured to be received within the recess between the first fork and the second fork for engagement with the forked end plate at a connection point between each of the first fork and the actuator and the second fork and the actuator.
 15. The boat of claim 9, wherein the crossbar is curved and the roof structure includes a roof that is curved proximate the crossbar, a radius of curvature of the crossbar substantially corresponding to a radius of curvature of the roof.
 16. The boat of claim 9, wherein the roof structure comprises an extendable sunshade.
 17. The boat of claim 16, further comprising a controller, the controller being configured to actuate the actuator to rotate the rod receivers away from the vertical plane prior to extending the extendable sunshade.
 18. The boat of claim 17, wherein the controller is further configured to actuate the actuator to rotate the rod receivers toward the vertical plane after retracting the extendable sunshade.
 19. The boat of claim 17, wherein the controller is configured to actuate an electric actuator, a hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic actuator, or a combination thereof.
 20. A boat accessory operation method, comprising providing a boat, the boat comprising: a roof structure; and a fishing rod holding apparatus, comprising: a crossbar; one or more rod receivers affixed to the crossbar, each of the rod receivers being configured to receive a fishing rod; at least one bracket engaged with the crossbar and engaged with the roof structure; and an actuator engaged with the crossbar; and actuating the actuator to rotate the crossbar and change an angle of the one or more rod receivers with respect to a vertical plane.
 21. The boat accessory operation method of claim 20, wherein actuating the actuator to rotate the crossbar and change the angle of the one or more rod receivers with respect to the vertical plane comprises extending the actuator to move the one or more rod receivers toward the vertical plane and retracting the actuator to move the one or more rod receivers away from the vertical plane.
 22. The boat accessory operation method of claim 20, wherein the roof structure further comprises an extendable sunshade.
 23. The boat accessory operation method of claim 22, further comprising extending the sunshade, wherein actuating the actuator to rotate the crossbar and change the angle of the one or more rod receivers with respect to the vertical plane comprises actuating the actuator to rotate the rod receivers away from the vertical plane prior to extending the extendable sunshade.
 24. The boat accessory operation method of claim 23, further comprising retracting the extendable sunshade, wherein actuating the actuator to rotate the crossbar and change the angle of the one or more rod receivers with respect to the vertical plane comprises actuating the actuator to rotate the rod receivers toward the vertical plane after retracting the extendable sunshade. 